Everything You Need to Know About the Microsoft Exchange Server Hack

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, News, Risk Management

By Charlie Osborne for Zero Day Four zero-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server are being actively exploited by a state-sponsored threat group from China and appear to have been adopted by other cyberattackers in widespread attacks. While in no way believed to be connected to the SolarWinds supply chain attack that has impacted an estimated 18,000 organizations worldwide — so far — there is concern that lags in patching vulnerable servers could have a similar impact, or worse, on businesses. Read everything you need to know about the security issues and be updated as the story develops>>>  

Six Steps to Take After a Car Accident

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, Home and Auto Insurance, Risk Management

By Eric Rosenberg for Westfield Insurance Car accidents happen—and sometimes there’s nothing you can do about it. These accidents are far more common than you might think. Data from the last U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey in 2018 showed there were over 6.7 million car crashes in the U.S. that year. Of those accidents, nearly 1.9 million resulted in injuries and over 4.8 million of these accidents involved property damage. But while getting into an accident can shake you up, there are important steps to take after one occurs. These measures can help ensure everyone is safe, that the law is being followed and that the car accident claim process is as streamlined as possible. Stay calm …

OSHA Recommends Employers Cover COVID-19 Vaccination Costs

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, Risk Management

Following OSHA guidelines can often be a challenge. Compound them with a global pandemic and an  employer’s job gets that much harder. This article by By Louise Esola for Business Insurance elaborates: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued workplace safety guidance for employers that includes a recommendation that they cover COVID-19 vaccination costs. OSHA issued the new guidelines following an executive order by President Joe Biden on January 21 to do so. The new guidelines, which in general mirror existing U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, call for face coverings, social distancing and contact-tracing. They also call for employers to implement COVID-19 prevention programs, separate and send home sick workers, improve safety communication with workers, install …

Business Valuers: Why Purchase Professional Liability Insurance?

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance

By Jeffrey S. Gelburd, CPCU, ARM, Vice President, for American Society of Appraisers Over the years we have been asked by Business Valuers about the necessity of purchasing Professional Liability (or E&O) insurance for themselves or their business. The following reasons are the most prevalent in the purchasing decision. The Insurance Policy Will Pay Defense Costs: This is the # 1 reason for purchasing E & O insurance – the policy is written to cover attorney defense fees which can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars. The Cost of Insurance is Relatively Inexpensive:  Minimum premiums for a policy offering a $1,000,000 limit can start at just $2,000. Low Deductibles: Deductibles for these policies typically start at $1,000 and can go …

Dining Out During a Pandemic

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, News

Shared from the National Restaurant Association  Research conducted by the National Restaurant Association indicates that the restaurant industry has lost $120 billion in sales during March, April, and May due to the impact of coronavirus in the United States. As state mandates allow for restaurants to reopen, jurisdictions that require face coverings in public spaces present a new challenge: guests refusing to wear masks. The Association’s Law Center partnered with Jackson Lewis P.C. to develop guidance for restaurateurs when dealing with confrontational customers or those who forgot their masks. Highlights include: What if a guest refuses to wear a mask on Constitutional grounds? Guests and employees have no constitutional free speech rights in a private business or workplace. The First …

Liability Immunity Offered by PREP Act

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, News

By Amy G. Mitchell, CIC, CISR, Vice President, Commercial Solutions Are you manufacturing products to support the COVID-19 solution? Respirators, face shields, face masks, etc. You may be eligible for Liability Immunity offered by the PREP Act that was made effective February 4, 2020, by the Department of Health & Human Services for products used for COVID-19. “The PREP Act authorizes the Secretary to issue a declaration to provide liability immunity to certain individuals and entities (covered persons) against any claim of loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the manufacture, distribution, administration, or use of medical countermeasures (covered countermeasures). Under the March 10, 2020, declaration, covered countermeasures are any antiviral, any other drug, any biologic, …

Reduce the Potential for Water Damage and Severe Weather Claims

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, Home and Auto Insurance, Risk Management

The insurance industry pays many more claims for water damage than they do for fire damage! And, the number of losses spike during the cold winter months. Do you know how to reduce the potential for water damage from: Wind-blown rain, sleet and snow from severe storms Ice damming Flooding and damage from surface water Accidental activation or damage to piping containing water Roof collapse   For more information and to access the Water Damage Prevention Inspection Checklist >>>  

Preparing for New Cyber Threats

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, News, Risk Management

According to an article by Jody Westby, CEO of Global Cyber Risk, published on Leader’s Edge website, as companies look to the year ahead, they should make sure they are prepared for the types of cyber attacks they might encounter in 2019. The cyber threat environment is more sophisticated than ever, and nation-states have increasingly played a role, often in coordination with other actors. Even the best chief information security officers are evaluating their programs against current threats and beefing up.   Tell me more >>>

Easy Steps To Reduce Cast Iron Boiler Failures Due To Thermal Shock

Amy MitchellBusiness Insurance, Insurance, News

By William P. Desrosiers in “Business, Energy Efficiency, Equipment Care” Thermal shock leads to many cast iron boiler failures, but boiler manufacturers set operational limits to avoid the cumulative conditions that lead to thermal shock. By following manufacturer’s specifications and scheduling consistent, coordinated servicing, cast iron boiler owners can reduce the risk of thermal shock. Tell me more >>>